Determining the level of compensation for out of contract football players

Published Wednesday, 04 August 2021.

Points deduction and fine for Featherstone Rovers

Featherstone Rovers have been deducted two Betfred Championship points and fined £10,000 after being found guilty of breaching the RFL’s Operational Rules. 

This is an Agreed Decision between the RFL and the club.  

Rovers were found to have held an indoor gathering on Saturday 27 March – a direct breach of the national lockdown restrictions in place at the time – and to have subsequently included in the team for the following Friday’s (2 April) fixture against Batley 12 players who took part in the illegal gathering and who would ordinarily have been forced to stand down under RFL Covid protocols. 

Williams begins first term in Wales

The new president of the Football Association of Wales (FAW), Stephen Williams, took up his post this week.

WADA invites stakeholders to participate in Skills Survey regarding roles in anti-doping

One of WADA’s six priorities under the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) 2020-2024 Strategic Plan is to ‘Grow Impact’. As one of the key initiatives under this priority, the Agency has committed ‘to developing training programs and qualifications standards for anti-doping professionals to improve professionalism and enhance the capabilities of the anti-doping workforce’.

FIFPRO AFRICA APPROVES MOVE FOR MORE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

More than two years after its last continental meeting, FIFPRO Africa held its 2021 congress on Tuesday 27 July in Accra, with the participants physically present. The reunion was marked by the approval of its new articles of association.

Nicky Henderson - Rule (E)12, fast-tracked

£750 fine - A breach of Rule (E)12 of the Rules of Racing in that on 5 July 2021 LELANTOS (IRE) ran in The Free Tips Daily On attheraces.com Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5) at Worcester, where it had been reported by the Veterinary Officer that the horse appeared to be suffering from ringworm.  The skin scrapings taken from LELANTOS (IRE) were reported by Rossdales Laboratories as being positive for ringworm.

Teamwork is the key for WADA’s Independent Observers at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is full of teams. Hundreds of national teams, various squads of players for specific team events, individual athletes and their teams of coaches and entourage and even teams of organizers that are busy behind the scenes ensuring the Games run smoothly. And for the members of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Independent Observer (IO) team, it is every bit as important that they work together as a cohesive unit in order to be effective in monitoring the anti-doping system in place during the Games.

GLOBAL ATHLETE CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE TO IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND THE BELARUS NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

2 August 2021: Global Athlete calls on the International Olympic Committee to immediately suspend the Belarus National Olympic Committee and allow all Belarusian athletes to compete as neutral athletes under the Olympic flag. The alleged kidnapping of Belarusian Olympic athlete Krystsina Tsimanouskaya by the Belarus National Olympic Committee (NOC) is yet another example of the alarming athlete abuse occurring in Belarus.

Brighton charged with several breaches of intermediary regulations

The Football Association has charged Brighton and Hove Albion FC with several breaches of Regulation A3 of its Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, which are alleged to have taken place between January 2015 and January 2018.

Mixed-gender events: a sign of innovation and greater gender diversity at Tokyo 2020

To promote greater gender diversity at the Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has introduced multiple new mixed-gender events at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. They are providing an exciting new competition format and are often unpredictable and thrilling to the end for both competitors and fans.

Political protests in sport – Athletes’ rights and duties at Tokyo 2020 Olympics 

Published Friday, 30 July 2021.

The WADA-accredited Tokyo anti-doping laboratory: operating around the clock to safeguard the integrity of the Games

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games now fully underway, and the Paralympic Games soon to follow, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited Tokyo laboratory is operating twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to analyze athlete samples and safeguard the integrity of the Games.

AESF Seals MoU with South Korea’s Game Ratings and Administration Committee (GRAC)

The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Games Ratings and Administration Committee of South Korea (GRAC) which will further bolster the preparations for esports at the AESF Game Title Selection Pool Program for future Esports events. 

Mental health matters: helping athletes to stay mentally fit

With the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 well underway, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is emphasising the need to support athletes’ well-being and highlighting the importance of protecting their mental health.

WADA leadership engages Clean Sport partners during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) President, Witold Bańka; Vice-President, Yang Yang; and Director General, Olivier Niggli, spent time in Tokyo last week and this week to attend the 2020 Olympic Games; and, have taken advantage of the opportunity to meet face-to-face with a significant number of WADA’s Clean Sport partners.

Australia and New Zealand stars could swap allegiance to compete at Rugby League World Cup

Following Australia and New Zealand confirming that they will not send teams to this years Rugby League World Cup in England it is believed that players will swap national allegiance so they can compete.

Independent Panel Members Announced

Professor Alexandra (Alex) Parker and Katherine Bates have been added to the independent panel to investigate issues related to women and girls' experience and advancement in the sport of swimming.

WADA partners with the Japan Anti-Doping Agency to promote the Play True message at the Tokyo Games

In the lead up to, and during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is partnering with the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) and other stakeholders to deliver a strong anti-doping program and promote the Play True message. As the host National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) of the Tokyo Games, JADA plays an integral role in coordinating the anti-doping program in partnership with the International Olympic Committee, the International Testing Agency (ITA), the International Paralympic Committee the Tokyo Organizing Committee and WADA.

German athlete group says protest rules at Tokyo Games are not transparent

Independent German elite athlete group said a hastily-introduced process that potentially allows athletes to protest at the Tokyo Olympics is not transparent, and instead could deter them from highlighting social issues close to their hearts. 

A Guide To The Labour Structure Of The US Women's Soccer Team and League (NWSL)

Published Tuesday, 27 July 2021.

Pam Sly - Rule (D)28, fast-tracked

£200 fine - A breach of Rule (D)28 of the Rules of Racing in that when DARK SPEC ran at Beverly on 19 July 2021 she had not informed the Racing Calendar Office that the horse had been gelded before the deadline as required

New IOC guidelines to ensure gender-equal, fair and inclusive representation in sport in Tokyo

Recognising that sports coverage is very influential in shaping gender norms and stereotypes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) published ahead of Tokyo 2020 a new edition of its Portrayal Guidelines to raise awareness and call for gender-equal and fair representation of sportspeople across all forms of media and communication.

Tokyo 2020: a new blueprint for the Olympic competition schedule and the visibility of women’s sport

The two weeks of Olympic coverage are a rare time when women’s sport and female athletes can make the headlines as much as their male counterparts. Increasing the number of women’s events in prime time across key territories can make a real difference in raising the visibility and prominence of women’s sport. 

NFL warns teams covid-19 cancellations due to unvaccinated players could lead to forfeited games

The NFL informed clubs that it would not extend the season to accommodate a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players that causes a game cancellation.

Why Blake Leeper is not running at the Tokyo Olympic Games – the 2nd CAS Award

Published Friday, 23 July 2021.

Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committees sign collaboration agreement

The Organising Committees for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 have today announced a collaboration agreement, which is aimed at encouraging joint initiatives and activities in an effort to stage more sustainable, innovative and spectacular Games in 2024 and 2026.

EFL commits support for knee and League-wide anti-discrimination activity

Ahead of the weekend’s opening round of League fixtures, the EFL is reaffirming its support to any player(s) and staff who wish to take the knee during the 2021/22 season

Adjudicatory Chamber of the Independent Ethics Committee sanctions Issa Hayatou

The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Mr Issa Hayatou, former CAF president, former FIFA President ad interim, FIFA Vice-President and member of the FIFA Council, as well as Honorary FIFA VicePresident, responsible for having breached article 15 (Duty of Loyalty) of the FIFA Code of Ethics.

The CAS Ad Hoc Division rejects the application filed by French boxer Mourad Aliev

David Loughnane - Rule (E)12, fast-tracked

£750 fine - A breach of Rule (E)12 of the Rules of Racing in that on 29 June 2021 FOREVER BRIGHT (IRE) ran in The Peter Villars Sportsground Maintenance Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 5) at Chepstow, where it had been reported by the Veterinary Officer that the horse appeared to be suffering from ringworm.  The skin scrapings taken from FOREVER BRIGHT (IRE) were reported by Rossdales Laboratories as being positive for ringworm.

Disciplinary update: Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby misconduct

South Africa Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and SA Rugby will face an independent misconduct hearing for comments regarding match official performance during the test series between South Africa and the British and Irish Lions.

Shot putter Saunders could face IOC action after Tokyo Olympics podium demonstration

American shot putter Raven Saunders became the first athlete to demonstrate on the podium at the Tokyo Olympics when she formed an X with her arms above her head after collecting her silver medal.

Saunders told the Associated Press that the gesture represents “the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet.” IOC Rule 50 governs athlete protests and demonstrations and whilst rules have been partially relaxed it has been stressed that any demonstrations on the podium are off limits.

The CAS Ad Hoc Division rejects the applications filed by the National Olympic Committees of Belgium and the Netherlands: 4 x 400m mixed relay final results unchanged

RealResponse, NFLPA Announce Landmark Issue Reporting Platform For Professional Sports

All NFL Players and Clubs Will Now Have the Ability To Anonymously, and Safely Report Any Violations or Player Health Concerns For The First Time

Malta FA launches first strategy

The Malta Football Association has launched its first strategy, which will serve as the basis for the association’s commitment to raise the game across all levels.

European football sees £3.4billion fall in revenue due to Covid-19 pandemic

European football has seen a £3.4billion fall in revenue for the first time in over a decade due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Revenue fell to £22.1billion and this is the first fall in revenue since the global financial crisis of 2008. Deloitte reported the revenue and said it “only accounts for, in most cases, three months of Covid-19 impact. It will be a number of years before the full financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on European football is known. But we're now beginning to see the scale of the financial impact that the pandemic has had on European clubs.”

Juancamilo Ronderos Alvis Accepts Sanction for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy

USADA announced today that Juancamilo Ronderos Alvis, of Las Vegas, Nev., has accepted a one-month sanction for a violation of the UFC^® Anti-Doping Policy.

No anti-doping rule violations at UEFA EURO 2020

All 1,616 urine and blood samples collected from players by UEFA, FIFA and participating teams’ national anti-doping organisations between 1 January 2021 and the end of the tournament were negative.

Decision of the UCI Disciplinary Commission concerning Patrick Moster

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that its Disciplinary Commission has decided to provisionally suspend the German National Olympic Committee’s cycling team Sport Director Patrick Moster following his inappropriate words during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s individual time trial.

Riga, Guangzhou and Muscat to host World Athletics Series events

The World Athletics Council has today (28) agreed on the host cities of three future World Athletics Series events at their meeting in Tokyo.

English football introduces new guidance for heading ahead of 2021-22 season

English football will introduce heading guidance across every level of the professional and amateur game from the start of the 2021-22 season.

NFL investigation into Deshaun Watson 'ongoing and active'; QB eligible to participate in team activities

Deshaun Watson reported to Houston Texans training camp on Sunday and, while currently under investigation by the NFL into multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment, faces "no restrictions" to his participation with the club at this time, the league announced Tuesday.

UKAD confirms Emily Robinson as interim Chief Executive

• UKAD Director of Strategy and Education to take the reins while search continues for permanent replacement
• Emily Robinson to replace Nicole Sapstead who leaves UKAD for International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)
• Emily Robinson to take up the role at the end of August 2021

The IOC Refugee Olympic Team: a team powered by solidarity

Ten athletes from the IOC Refugee Olympic Team (EOR) started their competitions in Tokyo over the first weekend of the Games, displaying the same determination that has helped them through some of their daunting life challenges.

Maurice Barnes - Rule (D)30, fast-tracked

£290 fine - A breach of Rule (D)30 of the Rules of Racing in that notification of the wind surgery undergone by FISHER GREEN (IRE) had not been notified to the Racing Calendar Office until after declarations prior to the horse running at Hexham on 20 June 2021.

Decisions of CAF Disciplinary Board – 14 July 2021

CAF Disciplinary Board held a meeting on 14 July 2021 and took the following decisions:

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Ad Hoc Division Vitaliy Khudyakov (KAZ) v. FINA: case settled amicably

IFs and NOCs strongly support fight against competition manipulation at Tokyo 2020

Over the past few months, International Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) across the globe have worked closely with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to help ensure fair competitions during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Bavuma reprimanded for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against Ireland in Malahide on Monday.

Scottish FA launches new girls' and women's football strategy

The Scottish Football Association this week launched a new girls' and women's football strategy, Accelerate Our Game, designed to develop the sport at all levels over the next five years.